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Bringing the All-Star Game to South Florida remains a strong possibility.

With their new stadium set to open in 2012, the Marlins have openly talked about their desire to someday host the All-Star Game. The year 2015 has been discussed as a possibility.

On Thursday, MLB President and COO Bob DuPuy noted that South Florida is on the league’s radar.

“As has been talked about repeatedly, the commissioner has been committed to rewarding communities with All-Star Games for persevering and getting new ballparks,” DuPuy said.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has discussed with Commissioner Bud Selig the possibility of hosting the All-Star Game. DuPuy and team president David Samson have had similar conversations.

“I know Jeffrey has talked with the commissioner. David and I have talked about it,” DuPuy said. “I’m confident that South Florida will be in the queue.”

DuPuy was at the Marlins-Cardinals game on Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium. Earlier in the day, he toured construction of the new ballpark Miami.

The Marlins are two years away from moving into their 37,000-seat retractable-roof building in the Little Havana section of Miami.

The league was instrumental in the ballpark being approved. Throughout the long process to find the Marlins their own home, MLB has stressed that South Florida could blossom into a prosperous baseball market.

The new staidum is crucial for the growth of the franchise.

“They’ve had location issues. They’ve had climate issues. They’ve had weather issues,” DuPuy said. “Even though they don’t get a lot of rainouts, I think the most important part of how the market is set up is that fans are going to know that games are going to start at 7:05, and they’re going to be over in a normal time period. Fans are not going to have to wait through an hour rain delay or an hour-and-a-half rain delay.”

The hope is that there also will be development around the ballpark, such as restaurants and shops. The long-term vision is to make the area a destination.

“I think the stadium is great for baseball. It’s great for this franchise,” DuPuy said. “It’s great for the community.”

A special guest was on hand for Opening Day. MLB president and COO Bob DuPuy made a trip to South Florida to attend the Marlins’ opener.

DuPuy worked tirelessly representing MLB in the quest to secure funding for a new Marlins ballpark, which was approved last month and it is scheduled to open in 2012. The good crowd on Monday reminded DuPuy that better days are ahead for the Marlins as they work toward being in their retractable-roof park on the Orange Bowl grounds in the Little Havana section of Miami.

“There is clearly a renewed sense of faith and hope,” DuPuy said. “There is a wonderful crowd for Opening Day, and a good, young team on the field. We are looking forward in breaking ground in July, and the jobs it will create, and ultimately getting to the new ballpark and the opening in 2012, which will be a clear jewel for the community. It will provide Major League Baseball for this community for generations to come.”

Several local officials were at Opening Day, including Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Alvarez.

DuPuy says Marlins fans should be excited about the new ballpark.

“I think it looks terrific,” he said of the design. “And the best part is, the fans are going to know the games are going to start at 7 o’clock, and they will end at 9:30 or a quarter-to-10 [because of the roof]. So people from the entire area are going to be able to plan on coming down in the rain. They will play 81 games to completion.”

There are numerous examples of how new ballparks have stimulated development in MLB communities.

“In terms of all the other communities where ballparks have gone up, it will help serve in development all around Little Havana,” DuPuy said. “It’s happened in Denver. It’s happened in San Diego. It’s happened in Seattle. It’s happening in Cincinnati and St. Louis.”

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